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Omari Evans: Penn State football QB Drew Allar ‘makes us play harder’

Drew Allar is raising the performance of the entire Penn State football offense, says Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans.

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Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Omari Evans (5) celebrates after making a catch during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest differences on the field this past Saturday was Penn State football QB Drew Allar. He approached the game with no fear and total confidence in his ability. Last season Allar was confident yet timid when pushing the ball down the field. But Allar has changed that approach this season and his teammates have recognized that. On Wednesday after practice, Omari Evans explained how impactful the Nittany Lion QB has been on the field.

We all saw a different side to Drew Allar against West Virginia. Confidence, poise, and even some trash talk. His emotions were under control, allowing his teammates to feed off his energy. On Wednesday night after practice, wide receiver Omari Evans was asked about the ‘new’ side of Allar.

“Drew [Allar] talks more now,” Evans stated. “He shows emotion for the game more, so I like that a lot. He showing that he cares and it makes us play harder. I like seeing him happy when we make plays as well.”

Allar finished the West Virginia game with 211 yards passing. 55 of those were from Omari Evans as the duo from the 2022 recruiting class look to make names for themselves this fall.

Franklin was pleased with Allar’s ‘swagger’

Penn State football, Omari Evans, Drew Allar

Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Omari Evans wasn’t the only one who’s taken notice of the Penn State football QB’s new approach on the field this fall. James Franklin spoke about this on Monday with the Nittany Lion media.

I think part of it, too, right, is it’s year two for him as the starting quarterback and year three in the program,” Franklin said. “So he shouldn’t look the same. He shouldn’t behave the same. There should be growth. There should be more confidence. There should be more swagger. Because he’s earned that, right? You know, look, confidence is something you earn. It’s not something that you give. It’s something you’ve earned. And you know, he’s worked really hard, and you see it in his play.

“You know, that stiff arm was a credit to our strength and conditioning program, but it’s also a credit to Drew and the work that he’s put in. And I also think for that to happen on our sideline, and for our sideline to see that, and see him make a play like that, that he has not made in the past, and then to react the way he reacted was really pretty cool.”



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Former Editor-In-Chief at Victory Bell Rings, Morgan is the current Site Manager for Basic Blues Nation, host of the Basic Blues Podcast, and co-host of the weekly Penn State Roar Room spaces. Morgan lives in upstate New York with his wife and cats.

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